Our Second Day...

Today we woke up at about 6:30am as Nambara had signed up for a round of golf at the resort's golf course.

We breakfasted at Willy Broadleaf, a cafe on the resort's property. They had a good international breakfast buffet. I'm awarding this cafe 3 points out of 4, high points because they served grits. And that was what I ate mostly for the next three mornings.

A point was lost because of this incident. As we only had 20 minutes to eat before our round of golf, I asked a server for 2 disposable cups to bring along some coffee. While waiting for her to return, I went to the cashier to get change to tip her for the cups.

She came back with 2 SMALL (about the size of one's palm) styrofoam cups with NO lids. What's the point of bringing a small cup of coffee which we'll finish in a gulp, or run the risk of spilling hot coffee on ourselves. She obviously did not notice our golfing attire and soft-spike shoes. That we needed lids for the cups as we were going to be on the move for the next four hours. Needless to say, for her thoughtlessness fueled on by her dour attitude, I retrieved the tips I had sitting for her from the table.

The rest of the staff were pleasant enough. The hostess and cashier greeted us with bright smiles; and by the 3rd morning, the cashier even remembered our names and room number. It says a lot to guests when hotel employees remember them. The incident of the thoughtless waitress aside, the rest of the staff pulled through for us, so I gave them high points.

The Lucayan Golf Course

This golf course was built in 1962, designed by Dick Wilson. Having golfed at several golf courses in resorts before, we were chagrined to see the simplistic condition of the club house/pro shop.

The saleslady at the pro shop was friendly. The golf caddies did their jobs of checking us in, loading our golf bags onto our designated carts. Overhearing another golfer that the green fee was $85 (this is typical green fees at golf resorts), I expected a certain decorum typical of other courses we've been to. Even though our round of golf was complimentary, courtesy of BEK, I felt shortchanged by the lack of sophistication and professionalism.

As I collected bag tags as a hobby, I asked the pro shop lady for one. She said she was out of tags at that location, but expected to get more from the head office... wherever that was She told me to check back later in the morning.

On our way out, I told a caddy that I would like a tag, and if he would hold one for me till the end of our golf round. He said he would. When we were done, I sought him out to get my tag. He gave a feeble reply - he said he didn't think I was going to come back for the tag. Huh???

It's this lack of consideration, giving runaround answers, and the unwillingness to pay attention to details on this island that gives one a bad taste in the mouth.

And they base their economy's income on tourism??? After dinner the night before and a few other minor run-ins with the locals' attitudes, I just can't help feeling that we're another batch of 'stupid' tourists who got suckered into coming to their island paradise. And like all others before us, we're being milked to the bones because we're already here and we have to make do with whatever they dole out.

But I digress...

Another fault with their golf course etiquette... I laugh as I recall the incident but it gave me quite a scare when it happened. One of Nambara's ball landed in the thick and as I was heading towards the rush, attmepting to retrieve his ball, I heard rustling among the trees. I approached apprehensively as I was afraid of creepy crawlies. I was expecting a snake or racoon when out came this Bahamian, dreadlocks and all, carrying a cooler of sort. He asked if I had lost a ball and if I wanted to buy some from him. He had plenty of "good" balls.

Apparently he was scavenging for 'lost' golf balls and reselling them. On our way back to the hotel, some players kept teasing me about buying ganja from him instead of golf balls.

Hmmmm... )